Electrode for electrolytic apparatus



:hlard'l 24 1931. I V N, sMlTH 1,797,375

ELECTRODE FOR ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS Fi led Aug. 21. 1928 Patented'Mar'. 24, 1931 UNITED mm PATENT: OFFICE alums nomam smrn, or rename.onraaro, canana, assrenoa, BY- nnsnn assremn'rs, 'ro wrsrmenousnELECTRIC & manuracrunme comm, a conromrroiw or PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRODEFOR ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS Application filed August 21, 1928. Serial No.301,145.

This invention relates to electrodes for use .in electrolytic cells,more particularly'cells of the tank type for the electrolysis of water.

The object of this invention is to provide an electrode which shall besimple to construct and very efiicient. To this end, my inventioncomprises, broadly, an electrode having a conducting member of highelectrical from the action I embodiment protected by a covering sleeveof the electrolyte, and having firmly attached to the covering sleevesuitable electrolyzing elements.

e accom anying drawings disclose one lllustrative of this invention,

conductivity,

wherein:

, Fig. 1 isa vertical cross-section of one portion of the electrode;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the complete electrode; Fig. 3 is an endelevation of the complete electrode and Fig. 4 is horizontalcross-section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

The electrode comprises a main conducting member or rod 1,- of copper orother metal of high electrical conductivity, sleeve or shell 2 of ametal passive to the electrolyte and gas within the cell, such metalbeing preferably iron or steel, and pref- 80 erably nickel plated whenused as an anode.

The rod 1 is adapted tobe slid into said shell 2 and to be soldered orbraised or otherwise fused thereto. The bottom of said sleeve isprovided with a plug 3 of similarly protective therein so coming inrod 1. The sleeve and rod, which will, for convenience be called thestud ortion of the electrode, is disposed within t e bend of theforaminous electrolyzing element 5, preferably consisting of wire meshcloth having a relatively large number of horizontal conducting wires 6and relatively few vertical supporting wires 7 interwoven therewith. Acover plate 8 encloses the portion of the electrolyzmg element 5 bentabout the stud 2 and holds sald element in position on the stud.

as to prevent the electrolyte from Y The electrolyzing element o' isshown as holes for bolting having a metal welded or tightly securedcontact with the bottom end of the" U-shaped, but it will be obviousthat it may be of any other desired shape or construction, in two ormore parts joined or held together at the bent-over portion, more orless approximating such form and partially bent or wrapped around theelectrode stud and secured thereto by suitable means. It will also be.apparent that, in order to further simplify the construction, especiallyin case very large current is not used, the cover plate may be omittedand the element welded or otherwise firmly attached to the stud toprovide a good electrical and mechanical joint.

The bent portion 4 of the electrolyzing element 5 is welded, soldered,clamped or otherwise attached to the cover plate 8 partially coveringthe bend of the electrolyzing element 5, the cover being providedwithopenings or slots 9 where the element may be readily welded or.clamped to the plate, and also welded or clamped to the sleeve 2 of thestud. The cover plate may be provided with or riveting to the stud.

-Where the electrolyzing elements are to be used as anodes, they arepreferably of reasonably pure nickel, or nickel plated iron or steel,and where used as cathodes, of reasonably pure iron.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An electrode adapted for use in an electrolytic cell, comprising astud having a main highly electrically conducting member and a sleeve ofmetal of lesser conductivity and passive to th'e-action of electrolyteand gas in the cell, and-a bent-over electrolyzing element electricallyand mechanically connected to the lower end portionof the sleeve at thebend of said element.

2. An electrodecomprising a stud having'a main highly electricallyconducting member, a protective sleeve thereon, a cover plate conforming to the perimeter of said sleeve, and an electrolyzing elementdisposed between said plate and sleeve and electrically and mecham'cally connected thereto.

.3. An electrode comprising a stud having a copper conducting rod, aprotective sleeve thereon, a cover plate conforming to the perimeter ofsaid sleeve, and a bent-over folee raminous electrolyzing elementdislposed between said plate and sleeve and e ectrically and mechamcallyconnected thereto.

4. An electrode comprising a stud having a copper rod and a protectivesleeve thereon, a

protective plug disposed in the bottom of said sleeve, a, cover plateconforming to the perimeter of said sleeve,

7 l and-a foraminous electrol zing element having a rtion thereof conormmg to and between said plate and sleeve, said sleeve, coverandelectrolyizing element form a good electrically 'condu vjoint. Signedat Toronto, Province 0 Ontario, in the county of'York d Dominion ofCanada, this 16th day of Au'gz, A. D. 1928.

- 'JA'LIES NORMAN being secured together to

